North wants final heat chance

DAKOTA North wants to prove to Robins boss Alun Rossiter he can be trusted to go in vital heat 15s following his impressive display at Wolverhampton on Monday.

The newly-signed Aussie was the shining light for Swindon on a night where too many Robins underperformed in a 52-38 defeat, scoring 10 points including victories in each of his opening two races.

Despite top scoring North was overlooked for a final heat where the Robins could have snatched a point, with Peter Kildemand and Nick Morris selected instead, and the Australian believes a few more good performances, starting tonight at King’s Lynn will prove to Rossiter he can be relied upon in pressure situations.

“We were winning and to lose like that was disappointing, but I had a good one and to be back on it like that was really pleasing,” he said.

“The track was grippy and that suited me because the slick tracks don’t suit me. The rain did a good job.

“It was good to get one over Tai (Woffinden, world champion) in my first ride because we are good friends and that set me up for a good night because I got some confidence from it.

“I would have liked to have gone in heat 15 but I didn’t get selected for it, so I just have to keep going. Hopefully I can show Rosco I’m capable of it, I certainly want it, because everyone wants to be in those heat 15s because it shows you’re doing something right.

“I do like King’s Lynn and it should be a good meeting. I’ve had some good results there and I’ve had some bad ones, but the track is always good.”

North is also now feeling more comfortable with his set-up in the UK, especially after bringing a full-time mechanic aboard following Patrick Hougaard’s decision to quit British racing at Leicester, which is believed to be due to a combination of injury and pressure from his Polish club to train with his team on Saturday nights when the Lions are usually scheduled to ride at home.

“For the first three matches I didn’t have a mechanic but now I have one sorted because Patrick Hougaard isn’t riding over here anymore,” North said.

“I have a full-time mechanic here now so the bikes are one thing I don’t have to worry about. I flew in from Poland on Monday and everything was ready for me and that’s how it should be.”